Material-handling machine



April 14, 193l c. H. BEBINGER Err AL v1,860,428

MATERIAL HANDLING MACHINE Filed Nov. 16, .1928

' ATTORNEYJ Patented Apr. 14, 1931 UNrrrezD STATES PATEN r carica CHARLES H. BEBINGEB. AND GEORGEVR. WHITNALL, OF kJ'ANIESVILLE, WISCONSIN,` AS- SIGNORS TO NORTHERN CONVEYOR & MFG. GO.,Y OF JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN, A COR-V PORATION OIE WQISGONSIN MATERIAL-HANDLING MACHINE Application led'Novevmber 16, 1928. Serial No. 319,809.

This invention relates to improvements in material handling machines. f

It is one of the objects of the present inven-i tion to provide in a material handling maf chine of the portable chain conveyor type, a

conveyor formed with cupped, one-piece steel flights.

A. further object of the invention is to pro-k vide in a machine of the class described, angled flight members arranged to have their upper flanges disposed directly over their lower flanges, whereby each flight forms a cup, when in carrying position, at right angles to the pan of the machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide a material handling machine in which the conveyor is composed of a pair of chains with a plurality of angled or cupped flights secured in spaced relation therebetween, both ends of eachvflight being formed with a plate punched with a pair of holes for the attachf ment of a pair of long chain pins. The result of this arrangement is that the shearing strength of the four pins carrying each flight closely approaches the ultimate strength of the pair of chains and each flight is carried by the chains in an exceptionally strong and ingenious manner, eliminating the danger of bending or breaking present in the usual type of chain conveyors.

A further object ofthe invention is to provide a machine of the class described in which there are mounted adjacent the pan or trough over'the drag chain portions a pair of longi- Itudinal members which serve as shields to divert'material from the chains and also serve to facilitate the cleaning of the trough by the flights, saidlongitudinal shield members also extendingpartially around the lower rollers at thehopper end of the machineto particularly divert material froml the chains at this end.. Y., A further object of the invention is to` provide a machine of the class described in which the frame' is composed ofa minimum number of members including a pair of opposed and braced longitudinal steel members above which the conveyor trough is'longitudinall'y mounted, the latter serving as a trough forV the conveying of material and also as a truss for .the supporting frame, building of the frame in exceptionally long lengths without any sacrifice of strength or rigidity.' In addition, the lower` flanges kof the longitudinal steel supports for the return of the drag chains,V and hence the conveyor trough and steel mem`l bers both serve dual purposes,l whereby the number of parts of thekr machine and its weight are minimized. Y

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of the class described in which the steel guides or tracks for carrying the upper lengths of the drag chains are simply mounted within the trough and may be readily replaced when worn. *Y

A further object of the invention is to permitting the A members serve as the provide a scraper for material handling ma? parts in all of the views: I v

Fig. 1 is a side view of amaterial handling 'K .machine ,embodyingv the features ofthe invention; f

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional yview thereof ltaken on line 2 2 of Fig. 1 and onv a larger scale; and

Fig. 3 is a detailperspective viewiofa flightl y member used in the conveyor.V

Referring now more particularly tothe drawing, it will appear that the machine comprises a lower truck frame formed of a pair Y1 ofspacedapart angle members' connected by a pair of diverging lintermediate angle members 7. Extending vertically .upwardly from one of the members 6 are frame members,v 8 connected attheir upper end portions by an upper transverse member 9. A pair of framek memberslO extend angularly downwardly from the upper transverse memberl 9 to theV 'other angle member 6. An axle 11 depends by the numeral 13, is provided with a pair of depending arms 14 through which a pivot rod 15 is extended and said rod also extends through openings in the adjacent 'end portions of the members 7, whereby the conveyor frame is pivotally mounted withrespectto thetruck frame for adjusting the elevation of the discharge end of the conveyor frame.

The construction of the conveyor or scraper. frame is shown in detail in Fig. and will beV seen to comprise a pair of opposed longitudinally extending channel members 16 secured `together at spaced intervals by angle bars 17. An elongated metallic trough 18 U-shaped in cross-section, is mounted'o'n the upper flanges of said channel members and extendslongitudinally of the conveyor. Also, a pairofo'pposed elongated angle bars 19 are bolted to the opposite inner side faces of the trough and the lower flanges of said bar-s 19 are spaced above the trough bottom portion providing longitudinal channels for the drag chains 2O to move along, said chains riding on'inverted channel bars 21 bolted to the trough and 'readily removable for replacement, when worn.

The con'veyor l1s composed ofthe opposed drag chains20 previously mentioned, and aV plurality of -spaced flight members 22 extended transversely between the chains. The flights are of a peculiar andadvantageous construction, and onegof the same is shown in detail in Fig. 3. Each flight member is formed of a length of angled steel, the flanges thereof being'designated 22 and 22', respectively, and the ends of said. angled member have welded thereto, for closures, -steel plates 23, each being provided with a pairof spaced apertures 24. l. l e y The drag chains 20 where it is desired to secure a flight member, are provided with pairs of opposed long pins 25 whichare extended through said plate apertures 24 4and are Vsecured by cotter pins 26. Hence, Yeach flight is carried by a total of four Vpins whoseA shearing strength 'closely approachesthe ultimatestrength of both chains, resulting ina very strongly attached flight. When the flights are thus secured they are disposed in thei angular position shown with the edges of their upper flanges directly over the edges of jtheirlower flanges, forming cupped or bracket-like membersy at right angles tothe pan portion 1of the trough, when in carrying positions.

'As before noted, the upper lengths 4of the drag chains ride on the members 21 below the flanges of the angle bars 19.v Said bars serve -to "divert material from the chains and also hold the chains in close proximity to thetrough to cause the flights to clean the trou-gh. VThe lowerlengths ofthe chains ride 'a platform 32 supported over the conveyor.

The motor shaft 33 carries Va small "gear 34 meshing'with `a large'gear 35 mountedV fast on a shaft 36, said shaft also `having mounted fast thereon a sprocket 37 `over which a dr1vingchain 38 extends. A shaft 39 is journaled in asuitable bearing near the upper end portion of the conveyor and said shaft has fast thereon a larger sprocket 40-engaged and driven by the chain 28.v Also mounted fast on the shaft 39 is asmallsprocket 41 arund which a second drive chain 42 extends, and said chain also engages a sprocket 43 ontlie upper conveyor shaft 27,'whereby said shaft and the sprockets 29`carrying the drag chains 20are operater. Y y

For the purpose of adjusting the elevationof the conveyor frame pairs of pulley blocks 44 and 45,7carrying'pulleys 46fand 47., 'are lsecured to oppesite sides of the conveyor frame.

Also, a pair of pulley blocks 48 carrying. pulleys 49 are secured to the upper truck frame member 9. A pair of cables 50', having vtheir end portions secured inthe pulley blocks 48,

extend around the pulleys 4.6, 49 and 47, and

are wound atV their `other end portions Aon drums 51, the shaft '52 upon which thedrums are mounted also carrying a crank "53. Upon rotationwof the drums, by means of the crank,

the discharge end portion ofthe conveyor. is

raised or lowered, and is maintained in ad.Y )usted positions by the ratchet 54 and cooperl ating dog 55.

It will thusbe 'seen that in the improved Y machine the flights are of a very simple and efcient design and the connections between the flights and the drag chains insureamaximum strength. Also, the conveyor frame both strongl and light andv the component partsfthereofperform double functions. The' Vtrough operates in its usual manner, andin addition, because of its mounting on the upper'v flanges of the channel members 16, 1t serves asa truss for said frame. The angle Amembers 19 serve to hold the conveyor closelyV against the trough and also shield the Y chains, while the lower flanges of the'channel members 16 support the under portions lof the chains. Furthermore, the improved mate,- v

frial handling machine is of very simple and novel construction and is well adapted lfor. the-purposes described. n

What we claim as our invention is:

1. In a material handling machine, a conveyor frame, comprising a pair of vspaced elongated frame bars having upper andV lower flanges, transverse bars connecting saidI frame bars, an elongated trough mounted on and secured to said upper 'flanges and serv ing as a frame supporting truss, and afpair of spaced drag chain slides mounted within said trough. l

2. In a material handling machine, a conveyor frame, comprising a pair of spaced elongated frame bars having upper and lower anges, transverse angle bars connecting said frame bars, an elongated trough having l side portions and mounted on and secured to said upper flanges, a pair of spaced drag chain slides mounted within said trough, 'a pair of endless drag chains extending longitudinally of and around said frame, the upper portions ofsaid chains moving on said v slides and the lower portions'of said chains being supported by and moving on the lower anges of the frame bars, and a pair of elongated angle members secured to the inner side walls of the trough and serving as v guides and shields for said chains.

mounted around and longitudinally of said y conveyor frame, said conveyor including a pair of drag chains and llght members eX- tended transversely therebetween, and thek upper portions of the drag chains resting on said slides andbelow the guide and shield angle bars and the lower portions of said chains resting on the lower Hang-es of the frame bars.

`In testimony whereof, lwe aX our signatures.

CHARLES yli-I. BEBINGER. GEORGE R. ETHITNALL. 

